Surrounded by hills, the Jacaranda-lined streets of Pretoria can be found in a sheltered valley some 50 kilometres north of Johannesburg. Founded in 1855, today the city and its surrounding areas are home to around 2.5 million people. From architectural marvels like the Union Buildings to humbling spaces like Freedom Park, Pretoria is an essential stop for visitors to South Africa’s northern Gauteng Province.

Pretoria - At the Union Buildings

In this podcast, Hostelworld.com's Rebecca Keenan speaks with Kassiani Lythrangomitis, website manager at the South African Presidency which is housed in Union Buildings. Listen to find out more about some of the major events that have taken place here, including the 1994 inauguration of former President Nelson Mandela, and plenty more.

In terms of travelling, South Africa is one of the most diverse countries in the world. You can leave a bustling city and then seek refuge beside a tranquil beach before heading off into the wilds of the game parks on safari.